Illinois Cultural Houses: Lunch-on-Us Series

Noontime Discussion Series Cultural Houses: Lunch-on-Us is a weekly noontime discussion series held during the academic semesters. Each session features a different topic centered on culture, identity, community, and social issues. Students are invited to listen, learn, and enjoy a provided meal hosted by one of the campus Cultural Houses. What to know before you […]

Why History Matters: History, Healing, and Community Impact

Friday, February 6, 2026 Learning Our Shared Past: Reflections on Why History Matters for Understanding Champaign-Urbana and Beyond Zoom Webinar broadcast live from CITL’s Media Hub Podcast Studio, 12-1pm Join us for a live, interactive webinar streamed from CITL’s Media Hub Podcast Studio. The School of Social Work, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences […]

Culturally Competent Support: Tailoring Our Approaches for the LGBTQIA+ Community

April 18, 202510:00am-1:00pm CST3.0 CEs for LCSW/LSW and LCPC/LPC$30 for CEs, $10 or no CEs**This training fulfills the Cultural Competency requirement for licensure in the state of Illinois** In this interactive 3-hour virtual instructor-led course, attendees will build awareness of the strengths and needs surrounding the LGBTQIA+ population, improve understanding of terminology and language, discuss […]

CEU Events

Undergraduate Programs

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Undergraduate Programs

Your road to your career starts here. And you don’t need to know your final destination to begin.

As a BSW social worker, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. You might work with individuals facing challenges like disabilities, life-threatening illnesses, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, or mental health issues. You could support survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault. With a range of career options, you can choose roles such as case manager, counselor, advocate, or residential program staff, and find opportunities in numerous agencies and service organizations dedicated to helping those in need.

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Bachelors Program

Our Bachelor of Social Work campus program prepares students for entry-level, generalist social work practice. For community college graduates and transfer students with junior standing, the flexible, online iBSW program offers a path to earn a degree through a blend of fully online courses and in-person field placements.

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Undergraduate Minor

An Undergraduate Minor in Social Work allows you to complement your primary field of study with a focus on social welfare and professional social work. Through this program, you’ll gain insights into social work theories, policies, and practices, enhancing your ability to understand and address complex social issues in diverse settings, from healthcare and education to community development.

About

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About

At the School of Social Work, we prepare the next generation of social work leaders dedicated to empowering individuals and transforming communities. Committed to social justice and equity, we tirelessly pursue meaningful change through education, advocacy, and action.

Our innovative research drives evidence-based practices that shape the future of social work. With the guidance of student-focused faculty, you’ll benefit from a balanced experience that combines dynamic classroom learning with hands-on field internships. Opportunities to engage in collaborative research and service-learning projects enable you to make a tangible impact while gaining the skills to succeed.

Graduating from our program means more than earning a degree—it means stepping into the world as a confident, compassionate professional ready to inspire change and make a difference.

Top25Social Work Programs in the United Statesusnews.com
Offering3degree programs with online options for BSW/MSW
With a90%job placement rate for MSW graduates

Our School

Everything you need to know about who we are and what we stand for. Explore a message from our dean, our rich history, strategic initiatives, employee achievements, and more—all highlighting our commitment to excellence in social work education and impact.

Our Stories

Discover inspiring stories that showcase the heart of our School—our students, faculty, and staff. Dive into recent online reports highlighting their accomplishments and explore ways to share your own story with us.

Connect With Us

Stay connected with us and be part of our vibrant community! Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletters, or reach out directly—we’d love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, ideas, or just want to stay informed, we’re here to keep the conversation going.

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Meet our faculty
and staff

Connect with the dedicated faculty and staff who make our School a leader in social work education and research. Our directory provides an easy way to learn more about their expertise, roles, and contributions. Whether you’re looking to collaborate, seek guidance, or simply get to know the people behind our mission, you’ll find their contact information and profiles here.

Get involved

Check out upcoming events at the School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work

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Bachelor of Social Work

The BSW Program at Illinois

Our Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students for entry-level, professional, and generalist social work practice. It also provides a pathway for advanced standing entry into a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, allowing for faster progression to higher-level roles.

Through a blend of classroom learning and immersive field education, you will gain hands-on experience working with individuals, families, groups, and communities. A BSW opens doors to a variety of career paths in areas such as healthcare, mental health, child welfare, criminal justice, and community development. Whether you’re advocating for policy change, providing direct services, or managing social programs, your BSW will equip you to make a meaningful impact in diverse social work settings.

Our program is currently ranked in the top ten undergraduate social work schools in the nation by College Factual.

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Admissions Requirements & Deadlines

Ready to apply or learn more about the admissions process? Visit our BSW Admissions page for everything you need to know about requirements, deadlines, and application steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about our Bachelor of Social Work program? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for quick answers to the most common questions about admissions, program options, and more.

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Campus Program

The BSW program prepares students for entry-level, generalist social work practice. Earning a BSW opens the door to diverse career opportunities and provides a strong foundation for advanced graduate study in social work.

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Online Program

This online program enables community college graduates and transfer students with junior standing to earn a Bachelor of Social Work degree entirely online, with in-person internships in their local community.

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Undergraduate Minor

The Social Work Minor allows you to combine your primary field of study with social welfare and professional social work. It focuses on applying social work theories, policies, and research to address key social issues.

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A hands-on internship designed for you

Your internship lets you apply classroom learning in community agencies, giving you hands-on experience in the profession. It offers opportunities to practice generalist social work with diverse populations, working with individuals, groups, families, and organizations.

BSW Field Education

Learn More

If you want to learn more about our BSW program options or get in touch with your support team, reach out to us:

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Request More Info

Ready to learn more? Request more information about our Bachelor of Social Work program to explore how you can drive positive change in the world.

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Attend an Info Session

Join us for an interactive session, available both online and in-person, to connect directly with our experienced admissions staff. Ask questions and discover the full range of program options we offer.

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BSW Advising

Need help navigating the BSW program? Our dedicated undergrad student staff are here to support you—reach out to get personalized guidance and answers to all your questions.

ICT Application

Apply

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Apply

At Illinois, our students make their dreams possible, rise to any occasion, and help shape the world.  As a social worker, you’ll  join one of the fastest growing professions in the country. Learn about our degree program options and what it takes to become an agent of change.

Bachelor of Social Work Program

Learn more about our BSW program and the three avenues in which you can apply.

Master of Social Work Program

Learn more about our MSW program enrollment options.

Post-MSW PEL Program

Learn about our post-MSW program for those seeking an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) for School Social Work endorsement.

Doctoral (PhD) Program

Explore our fully-funded PhD program including teaching and research opportunities.

Connect With Us

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Connect With Us

We want to help you connect with the right people to assist you. Please use the forms below so that we can get you to the right place.

Prospective Students

Click the form and indicate which degree program you are interested in.

Student Form

Alumni

Fill out the alumni contact form.

Alumni Form

General Questions

Fill out our general inquiry form.

Contact Us

Join our e-newsletter list

Stay in touch with monthly updates featuring upcoming events, CEU opportunities, as well as student, faculty, and program highlights.

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School of Social Work
1010 W. Nevada Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2261
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